What is the worst super processed food? New research links them to nearly a quarter of Canadian heart and stroke deaths

This article is for informational purposes only and cannot replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please contact a qualified medical professional or make any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle before doing any physical exercise.

Superprocessed foods are a major part of the Canadian diet and a new study shows that these products are promoting health problems and deaths in the country. The study, published Tuesday, shows that 10 in 10 heart disease and stroke deaths are linked to consumption of super-severe products.

“In 2019, more than one-third (or 38%) of all cardiovascular events were associated with superprocessed food consumption in 2019,” said Virginie Hamel a Hamel a Dietitian and PhD candidates who worked in the study, researchers for the study told the study. Yahoo, Canada. “This study… demonstrates that super-treated foods are a major component of the burden of heart disease and stroke in Canada.”

An estimated 38% of cardiovascular events related to superprocessed food consumption include more than 96,000 heart attacks and stroke cases, of which 55% are male. More than 17,400 more people died, with 52% of men.

The study also found that Canadians over the age of 20 and these products account for more than 43% of their daily energy intake. Now, researchers are pushing for more change and new policies, especially when regulating how to sell superprocessed food to children.

What are the worst superprocessed foods?

Hammer said researchers have looked at previous studies of Canadian superprocessed food. She added: “One of the most important representative data in Canada in 2015 is commercial bread.”

But, she said, some of the more common superprocessed foods Canadians consume include fries, frozen meals, cakes, cookies, pies and soft drinks. Other super processed foods may include:

• Sweet breakfast cereals and oatmeal

• Reconstructed meat products such as hot dogs and fish sticks

• Powder and packaged soup

• Ice cream and sweet yogurt

• Margarine and spread like cream cheese

What is super processed food?

According to Hamel, processed foods are products that may include sugar, salt or oil before packaging. This is done to increase product preservation, but usually does not include other additives and is easier to handle. On the other hand, superprocessed foods have “many processing steps” like extrusion, molding and grinding – and “additives we may never have in the kitchen.”

Hamel said that when it comes to superprocessed food, the goal of the products is to give shoppers something “practical, durable, convenient and attractive”, but they are “highly manipulated.” Super processed foods also contain sugar, salt and fat, while at the same time poor quality and lack nutrition. This, in turn, promotes weight gain because they won't make you feel full.

How to eat less super processed food?

Grocery stores pointed out by Hamel are often arranged in similar fashions. She advises shoppers to first browse the store and start with the section that houses vegetables, fruits and other fresh foods. If you choose to go through the aisle where you process the product, she says it is a good idea to have a goal.

“If you really know what you want, that's a good thing. But you can easily get lost. In this case, she advises people to look for ready-to-eat foods that don't have to be super processed. Otherwise, she reminds people that you don't have to cook every day, but you can eat during the week.

But for those who might choose to take the risk of stocking up into the aisle filled with superprocessed products, she recommends checking the ingredients list to make sure you buy better food. “If there are many lists of ingredients that we can't pronounce and we don't have in the kitchen… it's an indicator that this may be super processed, maybe not a good idea,” she said.

“We always like to put the weight in situations where people do better, but it’s hard to do better in the environment we are in now.”

Why experts want to “change”

The researchers also looked at what happens when Canadians change their diet. Fortunately, if people cut their consumption of superprocessed food in half, it would be estimated that 45,000 heart attacks and strokes would be reduced, while the death toll was reduced by more than 8,000.

Even if people reduce consumption by 20%, there are positive benefits. In this case, deaths will be reduced by 3,000, and the burden of heart disease and stroke associated with the consumption of superprocessed foods will be reduced by 17%.

On the other hand, if people eat 50% of superprocessed food, there will be higher problems. In this case, there will be nearly 3500 other deaths each year, and 45% of new cases will be linked to super-severe food consumption.

Hammer said the positive marketing of superprocessed food for children must change because it has normalized these products, so it is difficult for parents to compete. “We need to change our mindset, we need systemic changes … and strong policies to help people reduce their consumption of superprocessed foods,” she said.

Let us know what you think, via comments and tweets below @YahoostylecaFollow us twitter and Instagram.